DNA Will Be Used in Hillsdale High Pipebomb Case

Receive the latest local updates in your inbox

Police say the 17-year-old suspect was wearing a vest loaded with pipe bombs and was carrying a chainsaw and sword when he came to the Hillsdale High School campus Monday.

Updated at 4:45 PM PDT on Thursday, Oct 29, 2009

A San Mateo County Superior Court judge this morning agreed to allow DNA samples to be taken from a 17-year-old boy accused of bringing weapons and explosives to Hillsdale High School in August.

Alexander Robert Youshock appeared in court this morning with his defense attorney, Jonathan McDougall, but did not speak as Judge Mark Forcum granted the prosecution's motion to allow cells to be collected from inside Youshock's mouth using a cheek swab.

Prosecuting attorney Karen Guidotti said the samples will be compared to DNA found on the campus of Hillsdale High School in San Mateo where Youshock was tackled by a teacher after allegedly detonating two pipe bombs in the Aug. 24 incident.

She said DNA was found inside two gloves collected as evidence, as well as on the handle of a sword Youshock allegedly brought onto campus.

Youshock has been in custody without bail at Hillcrest Juvenile Hall since he was arrested the morning of the pipe bomb incident. He is being charged as an adult.

Police said Youshock set off two pipe bombs inside a hallway at the high school shortly after 8 a.m. He had also allegedly brought a chainsaw, a 2-foot sword and eight more homemade pipe bombs onto the campus.

The teacher who tackled Youshock was hailed as a hero afterward, along with the school's principal and several other school employees.

Youshock has been charged with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of exploding a destructive device with intent to commit murder, one count of possession of a destructive device in a public place, one count of use of explosives in an act of terrorism, and two counts of possession of a deadly weapon.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is scheduled to return to court Nov. 12 for further proceedings.